| Title | Valley cross-profile morphology and glaciation in Park Valley, Tararua Range, New Zealand |
| Author | Brook, M.S.; Purdie, H.L.; Crow, T.V.H. |
| Author Affil | Brook, M.S., Massey University, School of People, Environment and Planning, Palmerston North, New Zealand |
| Source | Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 35(4), p.399-407, . Publisher: Royal Society of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand. ISSN: 0303-6758 |
| Publication Date | 2005 |
| Notes | In English. Accessed on July 15, 2008. 27 refs. GeoRef Acc. No: 284933 |
| Index Terms | glacial geology; glaciation; valleys; New Zealand--North Island; Australasia; Cenozoic; cross sections; glacial features; New Zealand; North Island; Otiran; Park Valley; Quaternary; Tararua Range; upper Quaternary |
| Abstract | Previous anecdotal research by G.L. Adkin over 90 years ago suggested that Park Valley in the Tararua Range was glaciated during the Late Quaternary, on the basis of the "U-shaped" cross-profile character of the uppermost parts of the valley. We quantitatively describe the cross-profile morphology of the upper parts of Park Valley in the Tararua Range, using the power-law model (y = axb) and the form ratio model (FR = D/2W). Comparison of these results with morphological data published in global studies of glaciated landscapes suggests the upper parts of Park Valley have indeed been glaciated. Palaeoglacier reconstruction of this area gives a surface area of c. 1.41 km2, a maximum thickness of 130 m and a maximum basal shear stress value of 99 kPa. The equilibrium-line altitude of the former glacier has been calculated as c. 1210 m, and with the absence of any dated moraines, the glacier is assumed to have formed during the Otira Glaciation. |
| URL | http://www.rsnz.org/publish/jrsnz/2005/017.pdf |
| Publication Type | journal article |
| Record ID | 62005143 |